Special Appearance at the Farnborough Airshow 2018

New Platforms for Red Bull Air Race

Red Bull Air Race has already created a lot of excitement for fans of fast flying from Abu Dhabi to Cannes to Chiba to Budapest. Having witnessed the experience of flying an aerobatic plane in Cannes earlier this year, I was thrilled to find out that Red Bull Air Race is making a special appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018. A whole week dedicated to aviation lovers featuring 5 hours of unforgettable flying, 150 aircrafts and 600 exhibitors for almost 80,000 visitors during the public weekend, sounds terrific, let’s go!

Farnborough International Airshow 2018

I decided to visit Farnborough Airshow on the 22nd of July 2018. This airshow is one of the biggest aviation events worldwide, providing an opportunity to demonstrate military and civilian aircrafts to potential customers and investors. It generates billions of dollars worth of orders each year making it one of the successful aviation events in the UK and across the globe. By inviting Red Bull Air Race to this year’s airshow, the organisers have raised the excitement bar of its visitors to another level.

Red Bull Air Race brought two of their talented pilots, Italian pilot Dario Costa and the UK’s own Ben Murphy to demonstrate the adventure of flying race-planes for the audience of Farnborough Airshow. Both of them competed to reach speeds of 370kmh while enduring forces of up to 12G, plotted by 25 meter high air-filled pylons.

(Photo Credits: Mihai Stetcu/ Red Bull Content Pool)

I’ve met Dario earlier this year at the Red Bull Air Race Cannes, 2018 after his remarkable performance in the competition. He gave me useful tips related to flying an aerobatic plane. I used his suggestions before I challenged myself to enjoy the fast and furious ride in the air. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. In case you’ve missed the short video, watch here. Being a fan of Italian Piazzas, Pizzas and Pastas, I have added another P to my Italian obsession; Pilots.

Italian Pilot Dario Costa

Dario is known to be a pilot with flying obsession. He made his first solo flight at the very young age of 16. Later, he started an apprenticeship at an aerospace engineering company leading to becoming an aerodynamics and pilot theory courses teacher in Italy. Just like myself, after watching a Red Bull Air Race video, he became obsessed with this extraordinary sport. Following his passion in aerobatic flying, he got the Red Bull Air Race Super License in 2016 and became a part of its elite flying team in 2017. This year has been a dream come true for Dario as he joined Hamilton Watches’ team of talented pilots. He is participating in the Red Bull Air Race Championship across the globe. He has already become the first Italian pilot ever to claim his first podium place in only his second race.

This year, Hamilton Watches is celebrating 100 years of timing the skies. They’ve a remarkable history in aviation by providing masterpieces to pilots for precision. Starting a dream job with a company celebrating a century in aviation must be the icing on the cake for Dario.

(Photo Credits: Mihai Stetcu/ Red Bull Content Pool)

The talented Dario Costa has recorded more than 4,500 flight hours in more than 50 different airplane models in his 20 years of flying experience. Among all aircrafts, his favourite is the Zivko Edge 540, which he uses for competitions and performances.

Fun-Filled Weekend

My weekend was filled with excitement and adventure. I met Dario Costa and watched him competing with Ben Murphy at the Farnborough Airshow 2018. From Aerosuperbatics Wing-Walkers to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to F16 to Red Arrows display, that public weekend had so much to offer. Packed with thousands of visitors, several souvenir shops and food-stalls, there was something at every corner of the Farnborough Airport. I was wearing my favourite aviation style watch Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono by Hamilton Watches. So many aviation enthusiasts gave me compliments about my watch, so I thought to share it with you all out there.

I hope you guys also had a nice weekend wherever you are. Keep smiling and never stop chasing your dreams. We all live only once, make it count by pursuing your passions.